Master of Science by Coursework in Russian and East European Studies

Differences from 2017/18 to 2021/22

Candidates will be required to sit written examinations on two compulsory papers, to be taken in eighth week of Trinity Full Term:

  • 1. Each candidate will be required to follow a course of instruction for three terms and to present himself or herself forAn examination inpaper theon three compulsory papers in Week Eight of Trinity Term, as well as to present a thesis for examination. In addition, each candidate will be required to participate in training in methodology (quantitative and qualitative) and research skills related toContemporary Russian and East European Studies andPart to1.

  • 2. haveAn achievedexamination passpaper markson for the assessed components, as specified in the Notes of Guidance of the year of matriculation of the candidate.  Two printed copies of each of the written items required for the methodology and research skills assessment must be submitted to the Examination Schools addressed to the Chair of Examiners for the MSc inContemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 2.

Candidates will also be required to submit one extended essay on History of Russia, c/o the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford at the timesUSSR and daysEastern specifiedEurope in the NotesTwentieth Century of Guidance5,000 words, excluding bibliography.   Two copies of the extended essay should be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform by 12 Noon Monday in the first week of Hilary Term. The essay must be accompanied by a statement that it is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated.

Research Methods for Area Studies: Candidates will submit a 2,500 word maximum take-home test in qualitative methods to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Michaelmas Term; and a take-home test in quantitative analysis to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Hilary Term. Each of the items of written work described above must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating it is the candidate'’s own work.  Two

Candidates copies of a thesis shouldwill be deliveredrequired to the Chair of Examiners for the M.Sc. in Russian and East European Studies, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford, by noon on the Friday of the sixth week of Trinity Term in the calendar year in which the examination is taken.

  • 2. Candidates who failsubmit a written examination may be allowed to retake it in the following year. In the case of a failed thesis, this may be resubmitted in Trinity Term of the following year. Only one resubmission is permitted. In special circumstances, the Examiners may allow a marginal failure in one component in accordance with the rules outlined in the Examination Conventions.

  • 3. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.

    • Schedule of Papers

    • 1. History of Russia, the USSR and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century.

    • 2. Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 1.

    • 3. Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 2.

    • 4. A thesis of at least 12,000 words but not more than 15,000 words on a subject approved by the Management Committee for Russian and East European Studies, to be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform, by 12 Noon on Monday in the sixth week of Trinity Term. The thesis must be accompanied by a statement that it is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated.

      • Candidates who fail the research methods course overall will be permitted to re-submit a new submission for the failed piece(s) of work within four weeks of publication of the failed mark, on a date specified by the Chair of Examiners.

      Candidates who fail the extended essay will be required to re-submit by 12 noon on Monday of week one of Trinity term of the same year. Candidates who fail one or more of the examination papers will be permitted to retake it on one subsequent occasion the following year

      In the case of a failed thesis, a candidate may submit again, on one subsequent occasion, usually in Trinity Term, provided that this is still within the six terms of his or her registration.

    Oxford 1+1 MBA programme 

    Candidates registered on the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme will follow an additional two or three-month bridging programme at the end of their third term of the combined programme.

    Each candidate will be appointed an academic advisor from the Saïïd Business School to plan an individual course of study which will include as a minimum, the following three compulsory elements:

    (i) Normally two meetings during the bridging programme with the senior advisor appointed by the Saïïd Business School at the start of the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme.

    (ii) A formatively assessed Integrative Development Plan of up to 3,000 words. Candidates would be required to critically reflect on their learning from the Masters programme and relate this both to their forthcoming MBA programme as well as to their career goals. The meetings with the advisor will frame the design, delivery and discussion of the plan.

    (iii) Attendance of the MBA pre-course as described in the joining instructions for the MBA class, unless granted exemption by the MBA Committee on the grounds of prior formal study or work experience.